The stats behind past Aviva Premiership Rugby Final heroes

May 30, 2015

00:00

Any player can become a hero in the Aviva Premiership Rugby final – as proved by replacement prop Alex Waller being the unlikeliest of match-winners for Northampton Saints last year.

As Saracens and Bath Rugby stars try to emulate Waller this weekend, they should also take inspiration from a certain Lawrence Dallaglio who is the only player to win two man of the match awards at the Premiership showpiece.

Those came in 2004 and 2005 as Wasps won back-to-back titles, triumphing over Bath and Leicester Tigers respectively.

Another England star to appear in both those clashes was Josh Lewsey and the versatile back can lay claim to being the most prolific player in Premiership final history thanks to his three career tries in the contests.

Three is also the magic number for scrum-half Peter Richards who has been involved in a trio of showpieces, all for different clubs – Wasps in 2004, Gloucester in 2007 and London Irish in 2009.

A number of Sarries players could make their second Aviva Premiership Rugby final appearance in 12 months this weekend but they will still have some way to go to catch former Leicester star Geordan Murphy.

The Irishman has played more minutes than anyone else in Premiership finals, 560, which is equivalent to seven full matches.

At 33 years old, Bath captain Stuart Hooper has plenty of experience at the top level but that's not always the case with skippers for the big game.

The youngest was Chris Robshaw who was only 25 when he led out Harlequins in the 2012 final while his fellow England internationals Dylan Hartley and Tom Wood were second and third youngest respectively.

Stat Attack 1. The youngest captain was Chris Robshaw who was just 9 days short of his 26th birthday in the 2012 final. 2nd and 3rd youngest – Dylan Hartley and Tom Wood. 2. Leicester's Geordan Murphy has played the most minutes in Premiership finals (560). 3. Wasps' Josh Lewsey is the only player to have scored three career tries in finals. 4. Scrum-half Peter Richards has been involved in three separate finals all for different clubs – Wasps in 2004, Gloucester in 2007 and London Irish in 2009. 5. Lawrence Dallaglio is the only player to have picked up two Man of the Match awards at Premiership finals.